Economy and fear of flying create woes for tourism

Dec. 4, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- A sputtering U.S. economy and lingering
fears of terrorism are expected to put a damper on the winter
tourism industry in Michigan and across the nation.

Tourism in Michigan grew about 1 percent this year, compared
to the 3 percent to 5 percent growth rate that has become the
standard in recent years. But things could be worse, says Dr.
Eldor Quandt, a WMU associate professor of geography and tourism
expert.

"That is a dip," Quandt says, "but not like
some of the other areas are going through. We don't have the
boom, but we don't have the bust here either. It's a pretty steady
business we've got."

Areas that depend heavily on airline travel for tourism, such
as California and Florida, have been especially hard hit by terrorist
attacks on Sept. 11.

"It's a combination of recession and that people just
want to stay at home right now," Quandt says. Winter tourism
in Michigan this year will be centered more around visits by
friends and family than expensive overnight skiing trips that
many resorts depend on, Quandt says. That will mean that many
ski resorts in northern Michigan will be doing well just to break
even this year.

The picture is a little better in southern Michigan, which
is less dependent on skiing, Quandt says.

"Within 100 to 150 miles from a major metropolitan area,
there's still going to be some pretty good activity in terms
of recreation and tourism," Quandt says. Southern Michigan
is covered in that 150-mile radius by Chicago and Detroit, two
of the world's largest cities, so southern Michigan should not
see any significant drop in tourism or recreation.

Quandt says it could be well into summer next year before
tourism begins to rebound.